Adjustable sport vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat having a normal driving position and a sport driving position is disclosed. A central back section and central seat section are provided in the backrest and seat cushion portions of the vehicle seat, respectively. The central sections are movable to change the geometry of the vehicle seat relative to side back supports and side seat supports. Different actuators may be provided in different locations behind the central back and seat sections. Examples of actuators that may be used include eccentric rollers, pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic elements or bladders, and movable wedges. The position of the central sections may be manually controlled by switches, or automatically controlled by sensors, or by a position memory control.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/249,499 filed Nov. 17, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to vehicle seats having an adjustable seat cushion and back rest with a central seating surface and a central seat back that may be shifted to modify the support level of the central seating surface and central seat back relative to adjacent side support portions of the seat cushion and back rest.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Seats for vehicles were traditionally formed by interconnected spring support elements covered by padding material and upholstery. Vehicle seat construction has been simplified by utilizing structural foam supported by frames or rigid panels that are covered by fabric, vinyl or leather upholstery.

[0004] Vehicle seats may be provided with various adjustment mechanisms to move the seats forward or rearward by means of manual or power seat position adjustment mechanisms. Vehicle seats may also be provided with mechanisms that permit the seats to be raised and lowered. Another common adjustment mechanism is a tilt adjustment that controls the angle of orientation of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. Some seats also offer adjustable bolster sections that provide limited adjustability of the seat for supporting the small of the back of an occupant.

[0005] There is a need for a vehicle seat that has a greater degree of adjustability allowing for adjustment of the seat geometry for sport driving or normal driving. In particular, there is a need to be able to adjust the central portions of the seating surface and the seat back relative to the sides of the seat that are contoured to provide lateral support for a person seated on the seat. Generally, the relationship of the central portions of the seating surface and back rest are fixed relative to adjacent side support portions that are raised relative to the central portion and diverge from the central portions. Sport driving seats are more concave and have central portions that are flanked by more pronounced side supports that wrap around the seat occupant providing substantial resistance to lateral forces. Seats designed for normal driving are less concave and provide more space between lateral sides that permit the occupant of the seat to have a greater range of motion because they are not confined by the side supports.

[0006] The above problems and disadvantages are addressed by the present invention that answers the long-felt need of providing a vehicle seat that is adjustable to be well suited to sport driving and normal driving situations as summarized below.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat is provided that defines an adjustable depth occupant accommodating area. The vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion portion and a back rest portion. A central portion of a back rest pad forms a part of the occupant accommodating area that is moveable and includes actuators for changing the position of at least one section of the central portion of the back rest pad. A pair of side support portions form a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent the central portion and diverge laterally outwardly are progressively raised as they diverge from the central portion. The actuators are provided to change the position of the central portion of the back rest pad and provide a broader occupant accommodating area between the side supports for normal driving. Conversely, the actuators may change the position of the central portion of the back rest pad to provide a narrower occupant accommodating area between the side supports for sport driving.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a central portion of a seat cushion pad that forms a part of the occupant accommodating area may also have actuators for changing the position of at least one section of the central portion of the seat cushion pad. A pair of side support portions form a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to the central portion and diverge laterally outwardly and are progressively raised as they diverge from the central portion. Actuators are used to change the position of the central portion to provide a broader occupant accommodating area between side supports for normal driving. Conversely, for sport driving, the position of the central portion may be changed to provide a narrow occupant accommodating area between the side support portions.

[0009] The invention may include an adjustment mechanism for both the central portion of the seat cushion pad and the central portion of the back rest pad.

[0010] According to the invention, the actuators may take various forms. Examples of some actuators include eccentric rollers, broad surface area pneumatic bladders, pivoting linkages operated by linear actuators such as pneumatic cylinders, wedges slidable behind the central portion of the seat back or seat cushion, or localized pneumatically expandable elements.

[0011] According to the invention, the actuators may be positioned in various locations. In the back rest portion, the actuators may be located in the upper part of the central portion, lower part of the central portion, or in both the upper and lower parts of the central portion. In the seat cushion, the actuators may be located in the front part of the central portion, back part of the central portion, or in both the front and back parts of the central portion.

[0012] According to yet another feature of the invention, the actuators may be manually adjusted by a switch. The actuators may also be automatically adjusted in response to sensors in the seat for detecting lateral acceleration forces, or automatically adjusted depending upon the pressure applied to the seat by an occupant as sensed by sensors in the seat, or automatically adjusted according to a pre-set memory position set by the occupant.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a headrest may be provided above the central portion of the back rest portion with the central portion being movable relative to the headrest. Alternatively, an adjustable headrest may be provided to permit adjustment of the headrest to correspond to adjustments in the position of the central portion of the back rest pad.

[0014] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of the illustrated modes of practicing the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having movable central sections made in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central back section having an upper portion that is movable as indicated;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central back section with a lower portion that is movable as indicated;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central back section having movable upper and lower portions as indicated;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central seat section with a front portion movable as indicated;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central seat section with a rear portion movable as indicated;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a central seat section having movable front and rear portions as indicated;

[0022]FIG. 8a is a fragmentary perspective view of a backrest having an actuator in an upper portion of a central seat back section;

[0023]FIG. 8b is a front perspective view of a backrest having an actuator in a lower portion of the central seat back section;

[0024]FIG. 8c is a front perspective view of a backrest having actuators located in upper and lower portions of the central back section;

[0025]FIG. 8d is a front perspective view of a backrest having four actuators located in the central back section with two actuators in each of the upper and lower portions thereof;

[0026]FIG. 9a is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a vehicle seat having an actuator in a rear portion of the central seat section;

[0027]FIG. 9b is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a vehicle seat having an actuator in a front portion of the central seat section;

[0028]FIG. 9c is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a vehicle seat having actuators in the front and rear portions of a central seat section;

[0029]FIG. 9d is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a vehicle seat having four actuators with two actuators in each of the front and rear portions of a central seat section;

[0030]FIG. 10a is a schematic plan view of a backrest, central seat section and side back supports showing the central back section in its normal ride position;

[0031]FIG. 10b is a schematic plan view of a backrest, central back section, and side back support with the central back section in an intermediate position between the normal and sport driving positions;

[0032]FIG. 11a is a perspective view of an eccentric roller actuator;

[0033]FIG. 11b is a schematic representation showing the operation of an eccentric roller actuator made in accordance with the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 11c is a schematic representation of a central back section having two eccentric rollers with one eccentric roller in each of the upper and lower portions of the backrest;

[0035]FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic cylinder and bracket for adjusting the position of a central back section;

[0036]FIG. 13a is a perspective view of a pneumatic element actuator;

[0037]FIG. 13b is a side elevation view of a pneumatic element actuator in a partially contracted state;

[0038]FIG. 13c is a side elevation view of a pneumatic element in its expanded state;

[0039]FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a pneumatic bladder that is adapted to be received in a vehicle seat behind a central back section;

[0040]FIG. 14b is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder having a fixed edge shown in its contracted position;

[0041]FIG. 14c is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder having a fixed edge in its expanded position;

[0042]FIG. 14d is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder in its contracted position;

[0043]FIG. 14e is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder in its expanded position;

[0044]FIG. 15a is a schematic representation of a central seat back portion having a movable wedge behind its upper portion.

[0045]FIG. 15b is a schematic representation of a central seat back portion having a movable wedge actuator behind its lower portion;

[0046]FIG. 15c is a schematic representation of a central seat back portion having movable wedges behind both the upper and lower portions thereof;

[0047]FIG. 16a is a fragmentary schematic view of a seat back having a headrest and a movable central back portion in its normal position;

[0048]FIG. 16b is a fragmentary schematic view of a seat back having a headrest and a movable central back portion in its sport driving position;

[0049]FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a set of switches used to control the vehicle seat having normal and sport driving positions made in accordance with the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a vehicle seat 10 defining an occupant accommodating area 12 is illustrated in several adjustment modes. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion portion 14 and a backrest portion 16. The backrest portion 16 is held in a desired angular orientation relative to the seat cushion portion 14.

[0051] The backrest portion 16 includes a central back section 20. The seat cushion portion 14 has a central seat section 22. A pair of side back supports 26 are provided on opposite sides of the central back section 20 of the backrest portion 16. A pair of side seat supports 28 are provided on opposite sides of the central seat section 22 of the seat cushion portion 14.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, arrow A illustrates how the upper portion 32 of the central back section 20 may be moved. Referring to FIG. 3, arrow B illustrates how the lower portion 34 of the central back section 20 may be moved. FIG. 4 shows arrows A and B in upper and lower portions 32, 34 of the central back section 20 to illustrate how the entire central back section 20 may be moved to adjust the vehicle seat between a normal or comfort position wherein the central seat back section 20 is moved forward relative to the backrest 16 for normal driving. When the central back section 20 is moved toward the backrest portion 16, a sport driving seat is provided.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, arrow C illustrates how the front portion 36 of the central seat section 22 may be adjusted relative to the other portions of the seat cushion 14. Referring to FIG. 6, arrow D shows how the rear portion 38 of the central seat section 22 may be adjusted relative to the other portions of the seat cushion 14 to raise or lower the rear portion 38 of the central seat section. Referring to FIG. 7, arrows C and D illustrate how the entire central seat section 22 may be moved upwardly or downwardly to provide either a normal driving position or a sport driving position in accordance with the invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 8a, an actuator 42 is shown disposed in the upper portion 32 of the central back section 20. The central back section is flanked by side back supports 26. Referring to FIG. 8b, an actuator 42 is shown in the lower portion 34 of the central back section 20 of the backrest 16. Referring to FIG. 8c, two actuators 42 are shown in the upper and lower portions 32, 34 of the central back section 20. The central back section 20 is flanked by the side back supports 26. Referring to FIG. 8d, four actuators are provided with two actuators being disposed in the upper portion 32 and two actuators being disposed in the lower portion 34 of the central back section 20.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 9a, the seat cushion portion 14 is shown to include an actuator in the rear portion 38 of the central seat section 22. The central seat section 22 is flanked by side seat supports 28. Referring to FIG. 9b, an actuator 42 is shown in the front portion 36 of the central seat section 22. Referring to FIG. 9c, two actuators are shown in both the front 36 and rear 38 portions of the central seat portion 22. Referring to FIG. 9d, four actuators 42 are shown with two actuators 42 being provided in the front portion 36 of the central seat section 22 and two actuators 42 being provided in the rear portion 38 of the central seat section 22.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 10a and b, operation of the central back section 20 is shown. In FIG. 10a, the seat is shown in its normal position with the central back section 20 extended forwardly relative to the backrest portion 16 so that a space 40 is formed between the central back section 20 and the backrest 16. The occupant accommodating area 12 is effectively broadened because the occupant is held in a position wherein more space is provided between the pair of side back supports 26. Referring to FIG. 10b, the central back section 20 is moved rearwardly relative to the backrest portion 16 to cause the occupant accommodating area 12 to be defined between more closely spaced portions of the pair of side back supports 26. The space 40 is reduced in comparison to the space provided as shown in FIG. 10a. Actuators are provided in the space 40. The types of actuators utilized are more fully described below. A combination of different types of actuators could be provided or the same actuators could be provided in each portion of the central back section and central seat section where the actuators are disposed.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 11a-c, an eccentric roller 44 is shown that may be used as an actuator 42 and located as described above. The eccentric roller 44 includes a roller body 46 and a shaft 42 that is eccentrically affixed to the roller body 46. As shown in FIG. 11b, the shaft is rotatable to cause the roller body 46 to impinge upon the central back section 20. The shaft 48 may be a continuous shaft extending entirely through the roller or may be formed by two pins extending from opposite ends of the roller body 46. The shaft 48 would be received by journal bearings and a rotating drive mechanism as would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As shown in FIG. 11c, two eccentric rollers 44 are provided in the lower portion and upper portion behind the central back section 20. The spacing of the eccentric rollers may be modified depending upon design considerations. The central back section 20 would preferably include a rigid support backing to distribute the force applied by the eccentric rollers 44 or other actuators that are described below.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 12, another alternative embodiment of an actuator is shown to include a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 52 that is mounted to the backrest portion 16 and is used to adjust the position of the central back section 20 forwardly and rearwardly. The cylinder 52 includes a cylinder body 54 and a rod 56 that carries a piston that is used to extend and retract the rod 56 relative to the cylinder body 54. As the rod 56 is extended, an L-bracket 58 connected to its upper end is moved about pivot connector 60. The rod 56 is connected to a rod connector leg 62 while a central section leg 64 is connected to the central back section 20. Movement of the rod 56 causes the central back section 20 to move from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 to the phantom line position illustrated.

[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13a-c, a pneumatic element 66 including a bellows 68 and an air supply tube 70 is another alternative embodiment of the actuators 42. As shown in FIG. 13b, the pneumatic element 66 is contracted while in FIG. 13c, the pneumatic element is expanded. Air is supplied to and removed from the pneumatic element 66 to thereby cause the bellows 68 to expand and retract. Air may be provided by means of a power or manual pump (not shown).

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 14a-e, a pneumatic bladder 74 is illustrated that may be used as an actuator 42. The pneumatic bladder 74 includes walls 76 on opposite sides thereof that are interconnected by a bellows section 78. An air supply tube 80 provides air from a manual or power pump. As shown in FIG. 14a, a pressure relief valve 82 may be provided to prevent over-inflation of the pneumatic bladder 74. Pressure relief can also be provided by means of a pressure relief valve in the pump (not shown). The pneumatic bladder 74 may include a fixed edge 84 that allows the pneumatic bladder 74 to expand on one end to form a wedge shape as shown in FIGS. 14a-c. Referring to FIG. 14b, the bellows is shown inverted compared to FIG. 14a to allow for expansion of the lower portion of the central back section 20. As shown in FIG. 14c, the bellows section 78 is expanded. Referring now to FIGS. 14d and e, a pneumatic bladder 74 is shown that does not include a fixed edge 84 but expands so that the walls 76 are held in a parallel relationship as the bellows 78 is expanded and retracted. As shown in FIG. 14d, the bellows is shown contracted as would be appropriate for a sport driving position, while in FIG. 14e, the bellows is expanded to provide a normal, or comfort, driving position.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 15a-c, wedges 86 are shown as the actuators 42. Wedges 86 are received behind the central back section 20 and are movable as shown by arrow E in FIG. 15a and arrow F in FIG. 15b. As the wedges 86 are moved to a position that is more completely received behind the central back section 20, the central back section 20 is moved forwardly to the comfort position. As shown in FIG. 15c, two wedges may be provided behind the upper and lower portions 32, 34 of the central back section 20 to provide for adjustment of the upper and lower portions of the central seat back section 20. The wedges 86 are guided by a track (not shown) and moved by a linear drive (not shown).

[0062] The actuators illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 are shown in conjunction with the central back section 20. It should be understood that the actuators may also be provided in conjunction with the central seat section 22 as is suggested by FIGS. 9a-d.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 16a-b, a backrest 16 having a headrest 88 at its upper end is shown. The central back section 20 is movable relative to the backrest 16 to provide a space 40 as shown in FIG. 16a. When the central back section 20 is retracted toward the backrest portion 16, the space 40 is essentially eliminated. As shown by the drawing, the space between an occupant's head and the headrest is increased when the central back section 20 is moved outwardly as shown by arrow G in FIG. 16a in comparison to the spacing between the occupant's head and the headrest 88 as shown in FIG. 16b. While this may be desirable to provide greater comfort in normal driving, it may be desirable to provide an adjustment track 90 to make the headrest movable to assure that the seat occupant's head is held relatively close to the headrest even when the seat is adjusted to its normal position.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 17, a switch panel is shown wherein a seat cushion switch 92 is provided for adjusting the position of the seat cushion portion 14. Central seat section switch 94 is also provided to permit separate adjustment of the position of the central seat section 22. A seat back switch 96 is shown to permit adjustment of the tilt orientation of the backrest 16. Central back section switch 98 is provided to separately control the position of the central back section 20.

[0065] While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central back section of the backrest portion forming a part of the occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position of at least one section of the central back section; a pair of side back supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central back section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively greater width as they diverge; the central back section being separately moveable relative to the side back supports; and wherein the actuators change the position of the central back section relative to the side back supports to change the width of the occupant accommodating area between the side back supports.
 2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are eccentric rollers.
 3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are pneumatic bladders.
 4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are pneumatic cylinders having a pivoting linkage.
 5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are wedges slidable behind the central back section.
 6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are localized pneumatic elements.
 7. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in an upper portion of the central back section.
 8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in a lower portion of the central back section.
 9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in upper and lower portions of the central portion.
 10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein a headrest is provided above the central portion wherein central portion moves relative to the headrest.
 11. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the headrest is mounted on a track so that the headrest is adjustable to correspond to changes in the position of the central portion.
 12. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted by a manual switch.
 13. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted in response to sensors in the seat for detecting lateral acceleration forces.
 14. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted to preset memory locations set by an occupant.
 15. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted in response to pressure applied to the seat by an occupant as sensed by sensors in the seat.
 16. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central seat section of the seat cushion portion forming a part of the occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position of at least one section of the central seat section; a pair of side seat supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central seat section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively greater height as they diverge; the central seat section being separately moveable relative to the side seat supports; and wherein the actuators change the position of the central seat section relative to the side back supports to change the width of the occupant accommodating area between the side seat supports.
 17. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are eccentric rollers.
 18. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are pneumatic bladders.
 19. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are pneumatic cylinders having a pivoting linkage.
 20. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are wedges slidable behind the central seat section.
 21. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are localized pneumatic elements.
 22. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in a front portion of the central seat section.
 23. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in a back portion of the central seat section.
 24. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in front and back portions of the central seat section.
 25. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted by a manual switch.
 26. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted in response to sensors in the seat for detecting lateral acceleration forces.
 27. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted to presetable memory locations set by an occupant.
 28. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted in response to pressure applied to the seat by an occupant as sensed by sensors in the seat.
 29. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central seat section of the seat cushion portion forming a part of the occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position of at least one section of the central seat section; a pair of side seat supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central seat section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively greater height as they diverge; a central back section of the backrest portion forming a part of the occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position of at least one portion of the central back section; a pair of side back supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central back section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively greater width as they diverge; the central back section being separately moveable relative to the side back supports, and the central seat portion being separately moveable relative to the side seat supports; and wherein the actuators change the position of at least one portion of each of the central seat section and central back section relative to the side seat supports and the side back supports, respectively, to change the width of the occupant accommodating area between the pairs of side seat supports and side back supports. 